Every once in a while, isn’t it nice to get things for free?

Of course, you have to question whether “free” is worth it. Is it high quality? Does it add value? Will it help you get the job done in the most efficient way?

Luckily, Google’s free tools offer all of that and more.

Chief Information Officer - CIO. It’s meant different things at different times since the acronym was first created. 

CIO’s initially were the people who got technology up and running. Whether you wanted emails established or another server put into place, the CIO was the go-to person to talk to.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could go a full year without a breach in security throughout the medical industry? 

We all know that’s not possible.

In 2018, phishing attacks in Minnesota compromised 21,000 records, 75,000 records were breached in a federal ACA portal, 3 hospitals were fined $1 million for HIPAA violations - and it doesn’t stop there.

Remember paper files? Every note, every form, every transaction was printed out on paper and stuffed into a file with your patient’s name across the top. 

If a patient wanted a copy, or you referred them to a specialist, it meant pulling out the file, making copies, and sending them to the appropriate place.

Texting is no longer a fad; it’s a way of life. It’s one of the fastest, easiest ways to connect with the people most important to you. So naturally, it’s crept into the business world too. 

Why not text your clients and customers a quick message about an upcoming appointment? Why not answer messages with short answers? While that may be just part of doing business in some industries, it’s not quite as simple in the medical field.

How many things do your employees need to be proficient in to do their jobs well? They have to understand the programs you use throughout your practice. They have to understand HIPAA compliance laws. They have to keep safety and security in mind. Oh, and let’s not forget, they have to stay up to date in their areas of expertise.

Do you operate a busy medical practice? Does your help desk operate 24-hours of the day?

Is it HIPAA compliant?

Protecting your patients’ private information is one of the most important jobs you have. And it all starts with your contact center and the way they handle their responsibilities.

“We’ve been hacked.”

That’s something no company director wants to hear. But in the medical industry, it can be even more severe. Data breaches can be costly; HIPAA violations add a whole other level to the costs. Over $19 million was paid out in HIPAA fines alone in 2017, with fees already reaching $8 million in 2018.

Of course, money isn’t the only thing you can lose in the process.

Ever since the concept of the electronic health record (EHR) program made its way into our modern healthcare system, the term “patient engagement” has grown right alongside it. It doesn’t make sense to have one without the other. 

Patient engagement involves building a system that allows a patient to manage his or her own health.

In the 21st Century Cures Act, interoperability is defined as the ability of different information technology systems and software applications to communicate and exchange data with ease. Then once the data moves between various applications, it should also be used with ease without any special effort on the part of the user.